More than 5,000 National Guard members from four states have been sent to assist in New Orleans and Mississippi in the wake of Hurricane Ida’s destructive path, federal officials said.
The bulk of the Guard members, about 5,000, were from the Louisiana National Guard, according to a statement from the Army National Guard.
Guard members will help ensure continuity of government rescue and relief operations, officials said. About 300 additional Guard members are from Mississippi, Alabama and Texas, authorities said. In addition to Guard members, 195 high-water vehicles and 73 rescue boats were staged across southern Louisiana, the National Guard said. Thirty-four helicopters were available for rescue, evacuation and reconnaissance purposes, according to the Guard.
Hurricane Ida made landfall Sunday in Louisiana, dumping rain and causing flooding throughout the region. In total, more than 1 million homes and business lost power. Another 100,000 lost power in Mississippi. Ida weakened to a tropical storm Monday and was moving through Mississippi knocking down trees and power lines.Dartanian Stovall looks at the house that collapsed with him inside during the height of Hurricane Ida in New Orleans on Monday. Stovall was inside the house he was renovating when he said the chimney collapsed and the rest of the house followed. He managed to crawl to safety. "At least I'm alive," he said.Highway 51 is flooded after Hurricane Ida struck LaPlace, La.